An Armourer's Perspective: .303 No. 4 (T) Sniper Rifle and the H&H Connection

Recently purchased the book and had an opportunity to read it over a long business flight across the Pacific. Let me begin by thanking Peter (and contributors) for a job well done! I'm sure that it was pain staking effort to compile the infomation within the book and agree with Dougie Maber who stated "Peter's work desrves a place on the shelf of every sniping buff and historian." Agreed.

Question... since the books publication in 1993, have any new facts come to light as a result of informaiton posted on this site, uncovered new records, new sources (people) providing intput, etc.? If so, what was learned?

Chapter 21 - An Armourer's Postscript was an interesting read in regard to what makes a T original and the path it has taken over the course of the years (e.g., 3 ton lorry).

Thanks for that Mojo..... LOTS of new things have come to light and much more wasn't included due to space restrictions. Indeed, one thing/correction came to light while it was actually being published. But like all books, what you're reading was 'as-then' as they say. And you quickly learn that the first person who reads your book immediately knows more than you (yes, they really believe it too.........) and are keen to make it known. That's because they immediately know ALL that you have written PLUS the tiny bit they knew before!

Loads more of the actual conversion part, which I thought would be pretty academic, were left out for fear of bogging the book down and overrunning the size spec.

Still Peter it would not be a bad thing to say have an appendix version with the information that was forgone in yours and Ian's first go as I would certainly buy it to accompany Vol 1
I do not profess boundless fonts of knowledge on 303's and shy away from people at the range who know it all and their weapon matches their yap and won't group worth a frozen maggot on a Christmas cake but what I do have a healthy respect for;
A) A persons hard won experience in an oft frustrating trade as I am sure there were mongrel 303's that defied all the written laws and just would not behave real rogues and these stories need to be told as there may be a lesson there somewhere.
B) People who honestly help others with generosity of their hard won experiences in weaponry.

I have a healthy respect for the 303's and got the passion from my uncle when I was about 11-12 who had a cut down and scoped Lee Metford just the noise and the size of those rounds it certainly flattened the roo's he shot for our consumption.
My Uncle often recounted when we were around a camp fire on those cold summer nights we get in the wheat belt how he did not follow the course of fire and discharged the 303 grenade launcher from the shoulder whether it was true or false I did not care he was my uncle and did serve but not over seas.
But one thing I do know he was a shearer and started shearing when he was 15 y/o and finally stopped when he was 80 y/o I used to roust about for him and pen up anyone who can do that job for 65 years has got to be respected and he got plenty of that from me.

Anway I got lost yes Peter an additional book would be good.........:thup:

I agree with Cinders, a new edition would be fantastic Peter. I am not a sniper rifle aficionado, but enjoy good information pleasantly presented with style - you have plenty of both. :thup:

+1 for a new edition or an update - Have read the book many times and can't thank Peter enough for all the hard work. Made buying my 4T much easier and less stressful.

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

Loads more of the actual conversion part, which I thought would be pretty academic, were left out for fear of bogging the book down and overrunning the size spec

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The more "anorackish" the better, as far as I'm concerned. Can't tell you how many hours we spent poring over old Curtiss drawings and old factory photos of assembly jigs when doing P40 work. Some of us just can't get enough of the manufacturing side of things. Not everybody's cup o' joe, granted...

Peter, as this is my first post, I wish to thank you for all your articles and your book. As an Enfield service rifle shooter and enthusiast, your knowledge offered is gold. But I must ask you about the second last paragraph in "An armourer's perspective" regarding new barrel alignment with scope / pads - re a method that could and did cure it. What was that method?
I am currently building up a clone of an L42A1 (wish I could afford a real one) and realize that it won't affect me as I will machine the pads ala H&H. Just want to know what your method was. Thanks again. :)

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Originally Posted by ESRC

Peter, as this is my first post, I wish to thank you for all your articles and your book. As an Enfield service rifle shooter and enthusiast, your knowledge offered is gold. But I must ask you about the second last paragraph in "An armourer's perspective" regarding new barrel alignment with scope / pads - re a method that could and did cure it. What was that method?
I am currently building up a clone of an L42A1 (wish I could afford a real one) and realize that it won't affect me as I will machine the pads ala H&H. Just want to know what your method was. Thanks again. :)

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they bent the barrel to suite to scope mount...not something I would recommend.

Bend the barrel........ I don't think so!

As an example of too much info (not).

I am trying to accurise/maintain my target modded Enfields for target work. Such detail isnt copious and when I talk the the "oldies" they say well such and such was a wizz, as was Joe's brother, dead now of course". rinse and repeat.

Peter, you are probably one of the last to have such history of the T's in your head, or in your files, it would/will be a shame to lose it.

Oh and personally I love [re-]reading such detail.



regards